Recipe: Sneaky Greens & Berry Smoothie with Ginger

by Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

May 31, 2012 • 3 comments

Except for a few sometimes used in egg dishes, vegetables aren’t common in the typical American breakfast. With purple blackberries obscuring the green hue of the spinach, even vegetable haters won’t notice that this smoothie offers one full serving of vegetables. Get your blackberries while you can, since domestic varieties are commercially available only a few months out of the year, and are sweeter, juicier, and bursting with flavor, unlike imported varieties. Just 1/2 cup (75 g) of blackberries contributes nearly 4 grams of fiber per serving for only 30 calories. If you don’t like the seedy texture of blackberries, substitute blueberries. For an extra icy drink, use frozen bananas and thin with added juice or milk.

Sneaky Greens & Berry Smoothie with Ginger

1 small banana, peeled and broken into chunks

1 cup (30 g) baby spinach

1/2 cup (75 g) blackberries

6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt (3/4 cup, or 180 g)

1/4 cup (60 ml) orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed)

3 peeled, thin slices fresh gingerroot

4 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and working up to a high speed, puree until smooth.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Makes 2 servings, 1 cup each

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 153 calories, 1 g total fat, 70 mg sodium, 5 mg cholesterol, 31 g total carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 6 g protein, 5% DV iron, 18% DV calcium, 32% DV Vitamin A, 54% DV Vitamin C.